Disability Attendant

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare the learner to operate as a Disability Attendant. Disability attendants facilitate the safe and dignified use of service and environments by persons with disabilities. A qualified learner will be able to: • Distinguish between the various disabilities. • Communicate effectively with persons with disabilities. • Provide appropriate support to persons with disabilities. • Work within the legislative framework relevant to persons with disabilities.

In terms of the South African Constitution and in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is imperative to continue to remove the barriers to access and participation that prevent persons with disabilities from enjoying all the rights and privileges of our society. The overall vision, as set out in the Disability Rights Charter of South Africa (1992) and updated in the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD) (March 2016), states: "the creation of free and just society inclusive of all persons with disabilities as equal citizens". The WPRPD is built on nine (9) Strategic Pillars: • Strategic Pillar 1: Removing Barriers to Access and Participation. • Strategic Pillar 2: Protecting the Rights of Persons at Risk of Compounded Marginalisation. • Strategic Pillar 3: Supporting Sustainable Integrated Community Life. • Strategic Pillar 4: Promoting and Supporting the Empowerment of Children, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. • Strategic Pillar 5: Reducing Economic Vulnerability and Releasing Human Capital. • Strategic Pillar 6: Strengthening the Representative Voice of Persons with Disabilities. • Strategic Pillar 7: Building a Disability Equitable State Machinery. • Strategic Pillar 8: Promoting International Co-operation. • Strategic Pillar 9: Monitoring and Evaluation. In order to support the achievement of the strategic intent as set out in Pillars 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, persons with disabilities must have dignified and safe access to a range of travel, social and public environments and services. This in turn requires that there are properly trained and qualified support workers attached to the various areas and services. These workers must be able to assist persons with disabilities to access, enjoy the environments and services, and prevent a situation where persons with disabilities are excluded or separated from the mainstream activities. The airline industry, the airports environment, the tourism industry, the transport industry and other related services provided by government and the corporate sector that deal directly with the public are often at risk with the fact that many of the contact staff are not familiar with interacting with persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are often treated in undignified and discriminatory ways, because of the ignorance of service personnel. The Disability Attendant qualification offers the opportunity for persons working in these sectors to become qualified in understanding the conditions that make up, and the needs of persons with disabilities, working and interacting with persons with disabilities and disability legislation. This will provide best practice service for the public in the stated environments as well as new career opportunity for persons who want to work within the service industry. The target population for participating in the Disability Attendant qualification would be both school leavers and persons already working in the tourism, hospitality, airline and transport industries who would like to enhance their knowledge and acquire further qualifications. The qualification is pitched at the entry level and will create opportunities for further career options in the social and commercial sector. Successful candidates will be able to progress to further careers in tourism, hospitality and retail environments as well as entry into front office work in the public and private sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 2 qualification.

1 Distinguish between the various disabilities. 2 Communicate effectively with persons with disabilities. 3 Provide appropriate support to persons with disabilities. 4 Work within the legislative framework relevant to persons with disabilities.